Beginning with spring ball and continuing through last weekend, redshirt freshman Eddie Printz and junior Corbin Berkstresser were locked in a taut duel for the backup quarterback job at Mizzou. Printz was announced Monday as the Tigers’ No. 2 QB behind Maty Mauk.

That, as much as anything, explains the Missouri coaching staff’s decision to anoint Printz, a redshirt freshman quarterback from Marietta, Ga., as Maty Mauk’s backup over junior Corbin Berkstresser.

“Corbin and Eddie were very competitive,” Tigers coach Gary Pinkel said. “It was very competitive throughout the entire summer. There’s a point the last three or four practices and last scrimmage where Eddie played a little better. Ultimately, you base it over everything. They were very close, but we made the decision to go that way.”

Associate head coach/quarterbacks coach Andy Hill said Printz leveled out, becoming more consistent in the week.

“It was just consistency,” Hill said, adding later: “Eddie just looked like he improved.”

Pinkel also cited Printz’s accuracy and improved delivery in discussing the decision.

Of course, being third string now doesn’t mean Berkstresser, a Lee’s Summit graduate who started four games as a redshirt freshman in 2012, can rest on his laurels.

During the past several seasons, Pinkel has tried to carve out a drive or two for the backup quarterback. He did it for Chase Daniel, Blaine Gabbert, James Franklin, and last season for Maty Mauk.

However, no decision has been made relative to Printz for 2014.

“We haven’t decided that until Thursday,” Pinkel said. “Most likely, a redshirt freshman like Eddie right now, chances are I don’t think we’ll rotate him earlier. We’ll discuss it Thursday as a staff. It remains to be seen. It’d be nice to get him in a game and let him play, but we’ll see what happens.”